OTTAWA, Ontario—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Whit Fraser will undertake an official visit to Alberta from October 25 to 29, 2024.
The visit to Alberta will focus on reconciliation, diversity and inclusion, digital respect and mental health. As commander-in-chief of Canada, the Governor General will begin her regional visit in Cold Lake, Alberta, by highlighting the centennial anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with members at 4 Wing Cold Lake. During the visit, Her Excellency will also meet with provincial officials including the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier and Indigenous leaders.
Official visits provide the Governor General with an opportunity to raise awareness of significant issues throughout our country and to recognizing incredible Canadians working to better the lives of their neighbours and communities. To this end, Her Excellency will travel to Jasper to meet with a cross-section of citizens, volunteers and first responders to highlight community spirit in the wake of the region’s devastating wildfires and will invest seven Albertans into the Order of Canada at a ceremony in Edmonton.
Itinerary:
Note: times are indicated in Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
Friday, October 25, 2024 – Cold Lake, Alberta
12:15 p.m.
Welcoming Ceremony
The Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada will arrive at 4 Wing Cold Lake, the busiest fighter base in Canada, under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division. Her Excellency will be greeted by Wing Commander Colonel Mark Hickey and Chief Warrant Officer Dipen Mistry. The Governor General will inspect a guard of honour.
Learn more about 4 Wing Cold Lake
4 Wing Cold Lake
OPEN TO REGISTERED MEDIA – Photo opportunity: Welcoming Ceremony
Media must confirm their attendance with 4 Wing Cold Lake Public Affairs via samuel.deslauriers2@forces.gc.ca, and are asked to arrive at the meeting place in front of 4 Wing Theatre, on Kingsway Road, Cold Lake, by 11:45 a.m. to obtain temporary access passes to the base.
Media Contact: Lt Samuel Deslauriers, Public Affairs Officer, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Canadian Armed Forces: samuel.deslauriers2@forces.gc.ca.
1:00 p.m.
Tour of the 410 Tactical Fighter Squadron
The Governor General will visit the 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron and interact with RCAF members. This will be an opportunity for the Governor General, in her role as commander-in-chief of Canada, to highlight the centennial anniversary of the RCAF with members at 4 Wing Cold Lake.
Learn more about 410 Tactical Fighter Squadron
4 Wing Cold Lake
OPEN TO REGISTERED MEDIA – Photo opportunity: Governor General interacting with members and touring the Squadron
Media must confirm their attendance with 4 Wing Cold Lake Public Affairs via samuel.deslauriers2@forces.gc.ca, and are asked to arrive at the meeting place in front of 4 Wing Theatre, on Kingsway Road, Cold Lake, by 11:45 a.m., to obtain temporary access passes to the base.
Media Contact: Lt Samuel Deslauriers, Public Affairs Officer, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Canadian Armed Forces: samuel.deslauriers2@forces.gc.ca.
2:00 p.m.
Visit to John N. A. Janvier School and with Spirit North participants
The Governor General will visit the Cold Lake First Nations school and interact with Indigenous students participating in Spirit North sports activities outdoors. Spirit North connects Indigenous youth to sport, play, the outdoors and the land.
Her Excellency will then meet with school staff, Elders and Cold Lake First Nations representatives around the fire pit. The group will exchange on the importance of Indigenous language revitalization, preservation and reconciliation.
Learn more about Spirit North
Learn more about Cold Lake First Nations
Schoolyard, John N. A. Janvier School
OPEN TO MEDIA
Spirit North media contact: Kristy Davison, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications: kristy.davison@spiritnorthxc.ca
John N. A. Janvier School media contact: Lori Benko, Acting School Principal, lori.benko@tcef.ca
Saturday, October 26 – Jasper, Alberta
11:00 a.m.
Story time at the Jasper Municipal Library
The Governor General will read stories in English and in French with children, their parents and Jasper citizens.
Learn more about the Library and Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Jasper
500 Robson Street, Jasper
OPEN TO MEDIA -- Photo opportunity: Governor General reading stories to children
Media Contact:
Melissa Day, Library Programmer/Clerk, Jasper Municipal Library: jasperlibrary@jasper-alberta.ca
Amanda Stevens, Communications Manager, Municipality of Jasper: astevens@jasper-alberta.ca
2:00 p.m.
Visit with residents at the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge
The Governor General will visit the lodge to interact with residents, their families and staff who were impacted by Jasper’s wildfires. During her visit, Her Excellency will say a few words on hope and resilience.
Learn more about the Alpine Summit Lodge
509 Turret Street, Jasper
OPEN TO MEDIA -- Photo opportunity: Governor General interacting with residents and delivering short remarks
Media Contact: Meghan Gifford, Activity Coordinator: assl.ac@theegf.com.
3:30 p.m.
Stop at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31 to thank first responders, volunteers and citizens
On behalf of all Canadians, the Governor General will thank first responders, volunteers and the people of Jasper for their tremendous community spirit in the wake of the region’s devastating wildfires. After the visit, the Governor General will walk over to the war memorial, which is across the street from the Legion, to reflect and pay her respects to the fallen soldiers of Jasper.
As space is limited at the legion, media interested in attending this event are asked to contact Greg Van Tighem, President of the Jasper Legion (gvantighem@gmail.com).
Sunday, October 27 – Edmonton, Alberta
11:00 a.m.
Visit to the C5 North East Hub
The Governor General will engage with community members at the C5 North East Hub. The hub provides services and support to 30 000 of the most economically, socially and culturally marginalized children, youth and adults in the Edmonton area, including newcomers, immigrants and refugees, Indigenous individuals and families, and teen parents. The hub comprises five organizations: Terra Centre for Teen Parents; Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society; Boyle Street Community Services; Edmonton Newcomer Centre; and Norwood Child & Family Resource Centre.
Her Excellency will have the opportunity to watch and even participate in an African dance class; lend a hand in the communal kitchen by making bannock and serving soup; and take part in making ribbon skirts.
Learn more about C5 North East Hub
14017 Victoria Trail NW, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA
Media Contact: Mohamed Elsaghir, C5 Director, mohamed.elsaghir@c5edmonton.ca.
Monday, October 28 – Edmonton, Alberta
9:30 a.m.
Conversation with the Governor General: Building a Safe & Respectful Digital World
Her Excellency will participate in a fireside chat and listen to a panel discussion with Albertans on the impacts of online harassment and emerging solutions to build a safe and respectful digital world.
Learn more: Building a Safe and Respectful Digital World
SAMU Lookout Space, 2nd floor, SAMU Building, MacEwan University, 10850 – 104 Avenue, Edmonton
Media interested in attending this event are asked to contact Media Relations Advisor John Archer at MacEwan University: archerj24@macewan.ca.
11:45 a.m.
Courtesy call with the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
The Governor General will be greeted by Their Honours the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, and Dr. Zaheer Lakhani.
Learn more about the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Government House, 12845 102 Avenue NW, Edmonton
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
12:30 p.m.
Working luncheon on economic reconciliation
Government House, 12845 102 Avenue NW, Edmonton
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
3 p.m.
Order of Canada Investiture Ceremony
The Governor General will invest 7 Members (C.M.) from Alberta into the Order of Canada. During the ceremony at Government House, Her Excellency will thank these individuals for their significant contributions to Canada and the world, and for inspiring others to help build a better country.
List of appointees attending the ceremony
Learn more about the Order of Canada
Government House, 12845 102 Avenue NW, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA – Media are asked to confirm their attendance via email (media@gg.ca) by the morning of October 28.
Tuesday, October 29 – Edmonton, Alberta
10 a.m.
Arrival at the Legislative Assembly and greetings from the Premier
The Governor General will be greeted by the Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, outside the Legislature Building, at the foot of the staircase. The Premier will then escort the Governor General inside the building.
Learn more about the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Outside, on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, 10800 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton
OPEN TO MEDIA – Photo opportunity: Governor General being greeted by the Premier at the foot of the staircase at 10 a.m.
Media Contact: Savannah Johannsen, Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Premier, savannah.johannsen@gov.ab.ca .
10:05 a.m.
Courtesy call with the Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta, 10800 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
10:35 a.m.
Signing the Guest Book
The Governor General will take part in a photo opportunity with the Honourable Nathan Cooper, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, and sign the guest book.
Legislative Assembly of Alberta, 10800 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
11:00 a.m.
Meetings with Indigenous leaders from Alberta
Government House, 12845 102 Avenue NW, Edmonton
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
Quick facts
- This will be Governor General Simon’s first official visit to Alberta since her installation.
- This visit is part of a larger objective of visiting each province and territory to engage with Canadians from across the country in their communities, and to meet with provincial and Indigenous leaders.
Notes for media
- Members of the media must confirm their attendance at select events with the media contacts listed above.
- Photos of the visit can be provided to media upon request via media@gg.ca.
Media information:
Rideau Hall Press Office
media@gg.ca
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